Beverage temperature optimizer machine

ABSTRACT

The present invention provides a beverage machine that heats up water in the upper water chamber(s). The water has direct contact with an electric heating system and the heated water flows by gravity and being distributed by a pour over system into an underlying filter basket. The hot water chamber comprises a sensor for water temperature. Once the water reaches an optimal temperature, a motor and gear system would drive a valve open and allow the heated water to flow into the underlying filter basket. The present invention allows certain amount of water to be heated up in individual batch, thereby making it easy to manage water temperature in every batch.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to an automatic drip type coffee machine orbeverage machine.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A drip type coffee maker is one in which coffee brew is obtained by asingle pass of hot water through a quantity of coffee grounds. The hotwater flowing to and through the coffee grounds may be intermittentrather than continuous. Also, the output temperature of the small amountof cold water withdrawn from the water tank and heated up by the heateris uncontrollable. This may cause the water temperature inside thecarafe or thermal jug to be not hot enough, especially the first fewcups. Moreover, if a user only needs to brew 4 cups of coffee using the10-12 cups drip type coffee maker, they need to brew 10-12 cups becauseit is understood that the temperature of the first few cups from the10-12 cups drip type coffee machine is not hot enough. Due tointermittent flow of hot water and uncontrollable small amount of coldwater withdrawn from the water tank and heated up by the heater,distribution of hot water on coffee grounds would be uneven and withlimited spread out areas, thereby resulting in coffee that is poorlyextracted, less flavorful and aromatic.

For the above reasons, the present invention improves and rearranges theconventional drip type coffee machine construction in order to improvethe temperature of the coffee, especially the first few cups. In thisinvention, the beverage machine can provide coffee or other beverages atan optimal temperature (FIG. 1). The water tank and heating system areplaced on top of the machine in order to minimize any energy loss viathe piping and tubing of pumps. In one embodiment, the hot water will bedispensed into the filter basket directly via a pour-over system thatprovides even water distribution on the coffee grounds.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One objective of this invention is to reduce temperature fluctuation,achieve optimal water temperature or manage water temperature, therebyserving a better tasting beverage such as coffee or tea.

For conventional drip type coffee makers, the coffee temperature fromthe initial brewing period is always too low (average below 75° C.). Incontrast, the present invention ensures optimal coffee temperature evenin the first few cups. Moreover, this invention eliminates many problemscommonly found in most drip type coffee maker such as excessive steam,energy loss, and inconsistent brewing time. The present inventionminimizes any potential impact to brewing time due to calcification, oreven minimizes calcification.

The present invention is designed to improve beverage temperaturewithout affecting the overall brewing time. For the existing drip typecoffee machines, it is very hard to control output temperature or ensuretemperature consistency (some variance or some fluctuation would happenin every brewing process) because they are using the traditional heatingsystems which are always positioned at the bottom of the machines. Theseheating systems heat and pump out hot water from the bottom to the topvia a lot of pipes and tubes. In this way, significant amount of energyloss would happen during the process. The new system in this inventioncan produce hot coffee or other hot beverages at an optimal temperaturein a simple and efficient way and energy (such as heat) loss isminimized during the brewing process. In one embodiment, after theoptimal temperature is reached and detected by a temperature sensor, avalve will open to dispense the hot/warm water into an underlying filterbasket by gravity. For example, in the default position, a piston valveopens a flow path between the cold water chamber and the hot waterchamber but closes the flow path between the hot water chamber and thefilter basket. In this embodiment, the user can fill up both the coldwater and hot water chambers at the same time. After the user turns onthe machine, the water inside the hot water chamber would be heated up.Once the water inside the hot water chamber reached the optimaltemperature, the heater would be turned off and the piston valve wouldbe pushed upward. As a result, the flow path between the cold waterchamber and the hot water chamber would be closed, whereas the flow pathbetween the hot water chamber and filter basket would be opened todispense the hot water into the underlying filter basket by gravity.When the hot water chamber is being emptied, the temperature sensordetects a drop to certain pre-determined temperature, and the gearsystem starts to operate and moves the piston valve back to the defaultposition. At the same time, the piston valve opens the flow path betweenthe cold water chamber and the hot water chamber but closes the flowpath between the hot water chamber and the filter basket to allow coldwater to fill up the hot water chamber for the next batch of heating upor brewing.

The above heating process is accomplished by a unique structure of watercontainer which is positioned on the top of the machine. When the waterreaches its desirable temperature and comes into contact with groundcoffee or tea leaves, a carafe collects end beverage being dripped fromthe filter basket. In this way, the end beverage temperature in thecarafe or thermal jug can be more stable or significantly improved. Thequality of the extracted coffee or tea would also be more consistent orsignificantly improved.

For machine with smaller capacity, the water container will only haveone section because only hot water chamber is required. If the machineis bigger, the water container will be separated into two or moresections: cold water chamber(s) and hot water chamber(s). In oneembodiment, a certain amount of water is heated and contained inside thehot water chamber. A valve system between these chambers limits thequantity of cold water flowing from the cold water chamber into the hotwater chamber. In this way, a certain amount of water is heated inindividual batch, which allows for easy management of time and watertemperature in individual batch. Consequently, user waiting time isreduced and the user can choose to produce less amount of beverage.

According to various coffee authorities around the world, including theSpecialty Coffee Association of America (SCAA), the Specialty CoffeeAssociation of Europe (SCAE) and the European Coffee Brewing Centre(ECBC), the optimal coffee brewing and extraction temperature rangesfrom 92° C. to 96° C. This invention provides a brewing system that cancomply with this requirement consistently.

In one embodiment, there is provided a brewing machine comprising (a)one or more cold water chambers and one or more hot water chambers, thecold water chambers are attached to the hot water chambers, and thewater chambers are located on top of the machine; (b) a filter basketlocated beneath the hot water chamber(s); and (c) a valve controllingwater flow (i) between the cold water chamber(s) and the hot waterchamber(s) and (ii) between the hot water chamber(s) and the filterbasket. In one embodiment, the hot water chamber(s) comprises atemperature sensor and a heating system. In another embodiment, thetemperature sensor turns the heating system on or off at pre-determinedtemperatures.

In one embodiment, when the valve opens a flow path from the cold waterchamber(s) to the hot water chamber(s), water flow from the hot waterchamber(s) to the filter basket is stopped. Both the cold and hot waterchambers can then be filled up with water. In another embodiment, whenthe valve closes a flow path from the cold water chamber(s) to the hotwater chamber(s), water is allowed to flow from the hot water chamber(s)to the filter basket.

In one embodiment, the valve is a piston valve. In another embodiment,the valve is controlled by a gear system comprising one or more cams. Inone embodiment, the gear system rotates under the control of a motorgear system comprising a motor, a micro switch, and gears. In oneembodiment, the motor gear system begins to rotate at the same time whenthe heating system is turned on or off. In another embodiment, the motorgear system stops rotating when the micro switch is hit by a cam of thegear system.

In one embodiment, the cold water chamber(s) of the above brewingmachine is/are placed on top of the hot water chamber(s). In anotherembodiment, water flows from the cold water chamber(s) to the hot waterchamber(s) by gravity. In yet another embodiment, heated water flowsfrom the hot water chamber(s) to the filter basket by gravity.

In one embodiment, the heated water from the hot water chamber(s) isevenly distributed and spread all over the coffee grounds in the filterbasket via a pour over system. For example, once the water is heated toa desired temperature in the hot water chamber(s), the heated waterwould be dispensed in a continuous flow to a pour over system. The pourover system would distribute and spread the heated water all over thecoffee grounds in the filter basket.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 shows the front view of one embodiment of this invention.

FIG. 2 shows a side section view of one embodiment of this invention.

FIG. 3 shows an exploded perspective view of one embodiment of thisinvention.

FIG. 4 shows an exploded perspective view of one embodiment of thepiston valve and gear system.

FIG. 5A shows one embodiment of the gear system when the valve closes(default position) the flow path from the hot water chamber to thefilter basket.

FIG. 5B shows one embodiment of the gear system when the valve opens aflow path from the hot water chamber to the filter basket.

FIG. 6 shows one embodiment of a perspective view of the gear system.

FIG. 7A shows one embodiment of a perspective view of pour over system.

FIG. 7B shows one embodiment of another perspective view of pour oversystem.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The configuration of one embodiment of this invention is shown in FIGS.1-3. A water tank sits at the top of the machine and a filter basket islocated underneath the water tank. A cup, mug or glass carafe or thermaljug is placed underneath the filter basket. In one embodiment, only onebutton is required to turn on and off the machine.

In one embodiment, a body (10) supports one or more cold water chamberor water supply chamber (1) which is connected to the hot water chamber(2). In between these chambers (1) & (2), there is a piston valve (4)that controls water flow from the cold water chamber (1) to the hotwater chamber (2). The default position of this piston valve (4) opens aflow path from the cold water chamber (2) to the hot water chamber (1)but closes a flow path from the hot water chamber to the filter basket.A user pours cold water into the cold water chamber directly or via thetop lid (9) and the cold water fills up all the chambers up to a maximumlevel. In another embodiment, there is only the hot water chamber (2)and water is poured directly into the hot water chamber.

In one embodiment, the machine is turned on by pressing an On/Offbutton. The heating system (3) will be turned on to heat up the coldwater in the hot water chamber. An electronic temperature sensor builtin the hot water chamber (2) monitors the water temperature. When thewater reaches the optimal temperature, the heating system (3) will beturned off. The motor gear system (13) will begin to rotate the gearsystem (15). In one embodiment shown in FIGS. 4-6, the gear system (15)is designed with 2 separated cams, cam 1 is for activating the microswitch (14) and cam 2 is for activating the valve piston (4). Once thegear system (15) rotates to a proper position, cam 1 will activate themicro switch, the motor gear system (13) will stop rotating, and cam 2on top of the gear system (15) will push the piston valve upwards at thesame time. The flow path between the hot water chamber (2) and thefilter basket (5) is thus opened and the heated water would flowgradually from the hot water chamber (2) through the pour over system(16) to the filter basket (5). Once all the heated water goes to thefilter basket (5) and the hot water chamber (2) becomes empty, theelectronic temperature sensor will detect a drop in temperature thatre-activates the motor system (13) and gear system to restore the gearsystem (15) back to the default position, i.e. the piston valve (4) willopen a flow path between the cold water chamber (1) and the hot waterchamber and close the flow path between the hot water chamber (2) andthe filter basket to allow cold water to fill up the hot water chamber(2) for the next batch of heating up or brewing.

The filter basket (5) includes a pause and serve valve (6) that enablesliquid beverage to be stored in the basket (5). When the valve (6) ispushed open by the container (7), the liquid beverage (e.g. coffee ortea) would flow through the valve (6) into the container (7). Thecontainer may be a cup, mug or glass carafe or thermal jug. A keep warmheater (8) built inside of the keep warm plate (11) can be placedunderneath the container (7) if a warming feature is required. The keepwarm heater (8) is covered by a bottom cover (12).

The lid (9) placed on top of the water chambers is to cover the waterchambers when the machine is in operation.

The heating system (3) can be any type of heating system generally knownin the art. Similarly, any power can be used in the heating systemaccording to what is known in the art.

The gear system (15) and motor gear system (13) can be produced in anykind of material. The main function of these gear systems is to open thepiston valve (4). Moreover, cam 1 at the gear system and the microswitch act as a signal for the gear systems to turn on and off.

FIG. 7 shows an embodiment of the pour over system (16). In oneembodiment, the pour over system is located in between the hot waterchamber(s) and the filter basket. In one embodiment, the pour oversystem comprises at least one dispensing channel (17), which guide(s)the flow of water from the hot water chamber to the filter basket, andat least one drain hole (18) that allows the flow of water to bedispensed and spread all over the coffee grounds in the filter basket.This ensures the ground coffees is mostly or completely wet, warmed,steeped and extracted. In one embodiment, the dispensing channel iscontained in a circular piece. In another embodiment, the flow of thewater in the dispensing channel can be in circular or any distributingforms. In one embodiment, the heated water is delivered to reach everysurface or spot of ground coffee in the filter basket via the pluralityof drain holes at the bottom surface of the pour over system. This is toensure all surfaces or spots of ground coffee in the filter basket arewell contacted with water. In one embodiment, each dispensing channelhas at least one drain hole.

The pour over system is to replicate hot water pouring on ground coffeeby a system instead of a person. The pour over system helps to improvesome common inconsistencies with manual pour over, among themdisorganized and inconsistent pours, and irregular extraction.

The pour over system (16) can be produced in any kind of material andshape. The main function of the pour over system is to distribute andspread heated water all over the coffee grounds in the filter basket.

In one embodiment, the pour over system (16) has at least one dispensingchannel (17) with at least one drain hole (18). The dispensing channel(17) can be in any size or any shape.

One of ordinary skill in the art would readily configure the filterbasket (5) to fit for any size or any shape of filters or tea container.

In the present invention, a cup, mug or glass carafe or thermal jug canbe used as the container (7). When a glass carafe is used, a separatedheating system may be required for the keep warm feature.

FIG. 5 shows clearly how to operate (open and close) the piston valve(4) when an optimal temperature is reached in the hot water chamber. Inone embodiment, the default position of the valve piston (4) opens theflow path from cold water chamber to hot water chamber (1) but closesthe flow path from the hot water chamber (2) to filter basket (5) (FIG.5A). Under this condition, water can fill up both water chambers. Afterthe machine is turned on, the heating system (3) will heat up the coldwater in the hot water chamber (2). in one embodiment, an electronictemperature sensor built in the hot water chamber (2) would monitor thewater temperature. When the water reaches an optimal temperature, theheating system (3) will be turned off. The motor gear system (13) willbegin to rotate the gear system (15). Once the gear system rotates to aproper position and activates the micro switch by a cam of the gearsystem, the gear system will stop the motor gear system (13) fromrotating (FIG. 5B) and another cam on top of this gear system (15) willpush the piston valve upward. This opens the flow path between the hotwater chamber (2) and filter basket (5) and closes the flow path betweenthe cold water chamber (1) and hot water chamber (2), i.e. hot water canflow out of the hot water chamber to the filter basket but cold waterfrom the cold water chamber cannot flow into the hot water chamber toprevent the dilution of the hot water by the cold water.

In one embodiment, the present invention provides a brewing machinecomprising: (a) one or more cold water chambers and one or more hotwater chambers, the cold water chambers are attached to the hot waterchambers, and the water chambers are located on top of the machine; (b)a pour over system located beneath each hot water chamber(s); (c) afilter basket located beneath each pour over system; and (d) a valvecontrolling water flow (i) between the cold water chamber(s) and the hotwater chamber(s) and (ii) between the hot water chamber(s) and thefilter basket.

In another embodiment, the present invention provides a brewing machinecomprising: (a) one or more hot water chambers located on top of themachine; (b) a pour over system located beneath each hot waterchamber(s); (c) a filter basket located beneath each pour over system;and (d) a valve controlling water flow between the hot water chamber(s)and the filter basket.

In one embodiment, the hot water chamber(s) comprises a temperaturesensor and a heating system. In one embodiment, the temperature sensorturns the heating system on or off at pre-determined temperatures.

In one embodiment, the valve is controlled by a gear system comprisingone or more cams. In one embodiment, the gear system rotates under thecontrol of a motor gear system comprising a motor, a micro switch, andgears.

In one embodiment, the motor gear system begins to rotate at the sametime when the heating system is turned on or off. In another embodiment,the motor gear system stops rotating when the micro switch is hit by acam of the gear system.

In one embodiment, the valve is a piston valve.

In one embodiment, when the valve opens a flow path from the cold waterchamber(s) to the hot water chamber(s), water flow from the hot waterchamber(s) to the filter basket is stopped.

In one embodiment, when the valve closes a flow path from the cold waterchamber(s) to the hot water chamber(s), water is allowed to flow fromthe hot water chamber(s) to the filter basket.

In one embodiment, when the valve opens a flow path from the cold waterchamber(s) to the hot water chamber(s), and stops water flow from thehot water chamber(s), the cold and hot water chambers can be filled upwith water.

In one embodiment, the cold water chamber(s) is placed on top of the hotwater chamber(s).

In one embodiment, water flows from the cold water chamber(s) to the hotwater chamber(s) by gravity.

In one embodiment, heated water flows from the hot water chamber(s) tothe filter basket by gravity via the pour over system. In oneembodiment, said pour over system comprises one or more dispensingchannel and at least one drain hole.

1-16. (canceled)
 17. A brewing machine comprising: a. one or more hotwater chambers that are located on top of the machine; b. a pour oversystem located beneath each hot water chamber(s); c. a filter basketlocated beneath each pour over system; and d. a valve controlling waterflow between the hot water chamber(s) and the filter basket.
 18. Thebrewing machine of claim 17, further comprises one or more cold waterchambers attached to the hot water chambers.
 19. The brewing machine ofclaim 18, wherein said cold water chambers are located on top of the hotwater chambers.
 20. The brewing machine of claim 18, wherein a valvecontrols water flow between the cold water chamber(s) and the hot waterchamber(s).
 21. The brewing machine of claim 20, wherein when the valveopens a flow path from the cold water chamber(s) to the hot waterchamber(s), water flow from the hot water chamber(s) to the filterbasket is stopped.
 22. The brewing machine of claim 20, wherein when thevalve closes a flow path from the cold water chamber(s) to the hot waterchamber(s), water is allowed to flow from the hot water chamber(s) tothe filter basket.
 23. The brewing machine of claim 20, wherein when thevalve opens a flow path from the cold water chamber(s) to the hot waterchamber(s), and stops water flow from the hot water chamber(s), the coldand hot water chambers can be filled up with water.
 24. The brewingmachine of claim 20, wherein water flows from the cold water chamber(s)to the hot water chamber(s) by gravity.
 25. The brewing machine of claim17, wherein the hot water chamber(s) comprises a temperature sensor anda heating system.
 26. The brewing machine of claim 25, wherein thetemperature sensor turns the heating system on or off at pre-determinedtemperatures.
 27. The brewing machine of claim 17, wherein the valve iscontrolled by a gear system comprising one or more cams.
 28. The brewingmachine of claim 27, wherein the gear system rotates under the controlof a motor gear system comprising a motor, a micro switch, and gears.29. The brewing machine of claim 28, wherein the motor gear systembegins to rotate at the same time when the heating system is turned onor off.
 30. The brewing machine of claim 28, wherein the motor gearsystem stops rotating when the micro switch is hit by a cam of the gearsystem.
 31. The brewing machine of claim 17, wherein the valve is apiston valve.
 32. The brewing machine of claim 17, wherein heated waterflows from the hot water chamber(s) to the filter basket by gravity viathe pour over system.
 33. The brewing machine of claim 17, wherein saidpour over system comprises one or more dispensing channel and at leastone drain hole.